Soapbox: ‘Midget wrestling’ has no place today

On Labor Day weekend, Thunder Mountain Harley-Davidson hosted its annual motorcycle rally, Thunder in the Rockies, in Loveland.

One of the entertainment events at this rally, “extreme midget wrestling,” was held Aug. 30 at the amphitheater.

As an individual with dwarfism, I was disappointed to hear about this event.

The term “midget” is outdated and highly offensive to most of us with short stature, because it originated with the “freak show” era when little people did not have rights as equal members of society. Quoting from the websiteUnderstanding Dwarfism (www.udprogram.com/basic-facts-3-2), “in recent decades, midget has become recognized as a derogatory, hurtful term, a term of derision used to ridicule short-statured individuals ... it is a word that identifies a person of short stature as a ‘lowbar’ spectacle, cheap gag, and sideshow act.”

The preferred terms for an individual with dwarfism are “little person,” “person with dwarfism” or “short-statured.” In addition to the use of this derogatory term, “midget wrestling” events perpetuate society’s negative stereotypes about little people by portraying them as objects of amusement and derision, not as equal members of society. Midget wrestling is not an athletic event but a “freak show”; it is not conducted in sports venues, but at bars, clubs and sideshows.

I believe strongly in people’s rights to make individual, personal decisions and respect that some individuals with dwarfism don’t view “midget wrestling” as degrading. I understand the economy is tough, and that even though little people are protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA,, we still face discrimination in public access, societal attitudes and employment.

However, events such as midget wrestling are harmful to the greater dwarfism community. Because dwarfism is rare, many average-statured people go through life without encountering a little person, so form stereotypes and judgments based on what they see in the media. Events such as midget wrestling reinforce the idea that little people are objects of amusement, counteracting the efforts of so many who are trying to educate the public that people with dwarfism are people, just like them.

To the little people who do this for a living, please think about the message you are sending to the public about what it means to be a little person. Is the ridicule and discrimination people with dwarfism experience every day something you want to stick around, or something that you want society to move past? Are the experiences that led you to participate in “midget wrestling” positive ones or negative ones full of discrimination and ignorant attitudes that need to be changed?

To the fans of these events, please remember these individuals do not represent the greater dwarfism community. As the Little People of America founder Billy Barty put it, “We are parents and sons and daughters. We are doctors and lawyers and Realtors and teachers. We dream, cry, laugh, shout, fall in love, and make mistakes. We are no different from you.”

Please consider that by supporting these events, you are participating in the continuing oppression and discrimination that little people face. Until there is no longer demand for events such as “midget wrestling,” people with dwarfism will have to continue to fight to be seen as equal members of society.